Double Hung Window Replacement Cost Guide

Key Takeaways

• Double-hung window replacement runs A$350–1,200 per window installed in 2026, with aluminium at the low end and timber at the high end, in most cases including GST.
• Double-hung units cost around A$60–150 more than awning or fixed windows of the same size because both sashes tilt in for cleaning.
• The glass package is the biggest price variable: double glazing with low-E glass adds A$100–250 per window, and bushfire- or cyclone-rated laminated glass adds far more again.
• Aluminium and uPVC frames dominate the Australian market, while timber double-hung remains the classic choice in heritage homes; every quote should reference AS2047 compliance and WERS energy ratings.

What Double-Hung Windows Cost, 2026

In Australia a double-hung window has two vertically sliding sashes that both tilt inward for cleaning — the traditional design found in Victorian, Federation and Californian-bungalow homes. The prices below are supply-and-install averages for a standard 1200×1200mm window across the capital cities, quoted in Australian dollars per window rather than per square metre (m²), and including GST on homeowner quotes:

Awning windows — hinged at the top and opening outward — are the default for many new Australian builds and generally come in slightly cheaper than double-hung: roughly A$350–800 installed in aluminium, A$400–900 in uPVC and A$500–1,100 in timber for the same 1200×1200mm size. Labour for a licensed window installer typically runs A$80–120 per hour, and whole-home jobs attract volume pricing. All windows supplied in Australia must be tested to AS2047 for wind resistance and water penetration, which is one reason you should never buy untested imported units, however cheap they look.

Why Double-Hung Costs More Than Awning or Fixed Windows

The double-hung design adds balances, tracks, sash hardware and the tilt-in mechanism over a fixed or awning unit, and that engineering typically costs A$60–150 more per window. For most homeowners it is money well spent: tilt-in cleaning means you never need to clean the exterior of the glass from a ladder, which is why double-hung remains so popular in older suburbs despite the premium. In heritage timber windows, the old counterweight-and-pulley systems are also the reason replacements cost more: installers must remove the weights, insulate the pockets and retrofit modern spring balances while keeping the period profile intact.

Glass Package: The Hidden Price Driver

• Single glazing: baseline and included in most quotes; still common in Queensland and the Northern Territory, where the climate rarely demands more.
• Double glazing with low-E glass: +A$100–250 per window; the standard upgrade in Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and southern NSW, and increasingly specified under 6-star NatHERS energy requirements.
• Laminated or toughened glazing: +A$300–800 per window; required in BAL-rated bushfire zones and cyclone-rated areas, where glazing must meet AS1288 and AS2047 performance levels.
• WERS-rated glass packages: higher star ratings from the Window Energy Rating Scheme add cost up front but cut heating and cooling bills for the life of the window.
• Grids, obscure glass and custom colours: +A$50–300 per window.

Capital City and Regional Differences

Australian pricing tracks local labour markets: Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive cities, with installer rates around A$100–120 per hour, while Adelaide and Perth come in cheaper at A$80–100 per hour and Brisbane sits between the two. Geography matters just as much. Bushfire-prone areas — much of regional NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia — push prices up through BAL-rated glazing and ember screens under AS3959, adding hundreds of dollars per window at higher Bushfire Attack Levels. Cyclone zones in northern Queensland and Western Australia require windows rated for high wind classifications, which limits product choice and adds cost. Southern states have largely standardised on double glazing, while single glazing remains the norm in the tropics. Heritage overlays in inner Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide can add 50–100% for timber double-hung units with period profiles, matching paint colours and council approval processes.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

• Old window removal and disposal: A$25–100 per window; lead-painted timber windows cost more to handle safely.
• Weight-pocket insulation in old timber frames: A$50–150 per window — a genuine energy upgrade that stops draughts.
• Trim, casing and sill replacement: A$50–200 per window when the new unit is a different size to the old one.
• Council approvals: A$150–500 where a heritage overlay, BAL bushfire zone or cyclone zone applies.
• GST: most homeowner quotes are GST-inclusive, but trade-only quotes may add the 10% GST on top — always confirm.
• Flyscreens, security mesh and hardware upgrades: A$30–120 per window.

Ways to Save Money

• Choose insert (pocket) replacement over full-frame when the home’s existing frame is sound; save 20–30% per window.
• Buy stock sizes; custom double-hungs add 30–50% and 2–4 weeks of lead time for no functional gain.
• Standardise on one glass package for the whole house; mixing packages confuses pricing and reduces volume discounts.
• Replace in volume; the per-window price drops 10–20% on whole-home jobs.
• Ask about state energy-efficiency rebates and WERS-accredited product incentives, plus seasonal manufacturer promos worth A$50–150 per window.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Insert replacement of a same-size double-hung window in sound trim is the most DIY-friendly window job in the book, and a skilled homeowner can save A$100–250 per window in labour at A$80–120 per hour. But two factors push most Australian buyers to licensed professionals: manufacturer warranties generally require professional installation to remain valid, and AS2047 compliance — tested wind resistance and water penetration — depends on correct flashing and sealing, where mistakes cause air leaks and water damage that void the energy savings. The hybrid approach works well: hire a professional for the installs and DIY the interior trim, painting and caulking yourself, saving A$50–150 per window without ever touching the weather barrier.

Sample Scenarios

• Single double-hung, stock aluminium, insert install: A$450–700. The minimum viable replacement; ideal for a draughty bedroom window in a 1960s home.
• 5-window bedroom wing, aluminium, double-glazed low-E: A$3,000–4,500 installed. Volume pricing brings the per-unit cost down 10–15%.
• 10-window whole home, aluminium double-glazed: A$7,000–12,000 installed; the value sweet spot for most Australian homes.
• 10-window heritage timber home, period profiles: A$15,000–24,000 with matching profiles, heritage-approved paint colours and council fees.

The pattern is consistent: frame material and glass package move the per-window number more than anything else, and volume moves the total. If your home has mixed window sizes, ask the contractor to quote stock sizes wherever possible; custom double-hungs add 30–50% and weeks of lead time for no functional gain. Whatever you choose, insist on AS2047-compliant windows, check the WERS star rating of the glass package and get at least three quotes from licensed installers before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to replace a double-hung window in Australia?

Most double-hung window replacements cost A$350–1,200 per window installed in 2026: A$350–900 for aluminium, A$400–1,000 for uPVC and A$500–1,200 for timber, plus labour of A$80–120 per hour. Most homeowner quotes are GST-inclusive.

Is double glazing worth it in Australia?

In Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and southern NSW, double glazing with low-E glass is increasingly the default and typically pays for itself in 5–10 years through lower heating and cooling bills. In Queensland and the Northern Territory, single glazing remains common because the mild climate rarely justifies the upgrade.

Do I need council approval to replace windows in Australia?

Like-for-like window replacement is usually exempt from council approval. Check with your council if your home sits in a heritage overlay, a designated bushfire-prone area (BAL rating) or a cyclone zone, where approvals and rated glazing are typically required.

What are BAL ratings and how do they affect window cost?

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings from BAL-12.5 to BAL-FZ are set out in AS3959. Higher BAL ratings require bushfire-resisting glazing such as toughened or laminated glass with protective screens, which can add A$300–800 per window.

How long does it take to replace windows?

An insert (pocket) replacement of a single double-hung window takes 30–60 minutes, while a full-frame removal and install takes one to two hours per window. A typical 10-window whole-home job takes two to four days.